Cooking and Walking in Tuscany
Footloose - 7 Nights/8 Days
You’ll stay in two Medieval walled towns and taste the famous vintages of the area - Chianti and the rich red, world-renowned Brunello wines.
The fine cuisine and wine will be equalised by pleasant walks in the countryside that is a patchwork of vineyards, olive groves, ancient forests and fields of wheat and barley – the wellspring of ingredients for delicious Tuscan meals.
TOUR INCLUDES:
• 4 nights at 3 star hotel in San Gimignano
• 3 nights at 3 star hotel in Montalcino – a bed and breakfast basis
• Transfers by private car/minivan with driver as per programme
• Visit and lunch at a wine estate in San Gimignano
• Cooking class with lunch in a local villa San Gimignano
• Cooking class in Montalcino including lunch and drinks
• Wine tasting in Montepulciano
• Half day walking tour in Siena & optional visit to Volterra
Itinerary and Highlights
- Day 1 Arrive San Gimignano. You can travel there by coach or train from Florence or we can arrange a private transfer by car for an additional cost.
- Day 2 Morning free to explore this enchanting town. This afternoon transfer by local bus to Colle di Val d’Elsa – an historic walled hill town with perfectly preserved medieval ‘tunnel streets’. Walk through timeless countryside - forests and over hills with views over an almost unchanged medieval splendid Tuscan landscape back to San Gimignano. (4 – 5 hours)
- Day 3 Today’s Events – cooking class. This morning will be spent with a hands- on cooking class in a villa not far from San Gimignano. You will prepare a complete Tuscan menu that will be served to you for lunch, including local wines. Return to San Gimignano in the afternoon. Optionally you can continue your day with a visit to Volterra, the beautiful hilltop town with Etruscan origins.
- Day 4 Depart by local bus for Siena. Enjoy a guided tourt of the beautiful Palio Town: Casa di Santa Caterina, Basilic of S. Domenico, Piazza Salimbeni, Via Banchi di Sopra (il Corso), le Logge della Mercanzia and Piazza del Campo, and the magnificent gothic Cathedral. Afternoon at leisure to discover more of the town before returning by bus to San Gimignano in the afternoon.
- Day 5 Private transfer to the magnificent walled town of Montalcino with sweeping views of the Val d'Orcia. Stop en route to visit and sample wine in a local wine estate producing the renowned red wine Brunello di Montalcino (optional). You have time to get familiar with this lovely town before attending a cooking lesson in the afternoon to try some traditional Tuscan recipes.
- Day 6 Depart by private car for Pienza along the ancient Roman Via Cassia road.
Stop enroute at Bagno Vignoni, a gorgeous hamlet built around a medieval spa pool. Time for short stroll before continuing to Pienza. Morning free to discover this Renaissance jewel. Visit the Palazzo Piccolomini, Duomo and museum.
In the afternoon you have the option to walk (4 hours) or transfer by car to Montepulciano. - Day 7 After breakfast this morning you will discover the surroundings of Montalcino, with an independent walking tour from Montalcino up to St. Antimo Abbey. 10km along 'strada bianca' (white roads), vineyards, small churches and beautiful landscapes to reach Castelnuovo dell’ Abate where you can stop for lunch. Time to visit the Roman Abbey where at 2.45 you can listen to the Gregorian chorus inside the church. Back to Montalcino by local bus (timetable will be provided). Overnight stay.
- Day 8 Arrangements end after breakfast.
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